This week, an icon of American boxing hung up his gloves in a shock announcement. At the age of 38, Terence Crawford has decided he now wants to devote time to his legendary career.
The announcement comes as a surprise as there have been talks about a return to the ring in 2026 for the American. The five-division champion announced his decision on social media in a feature-length video showcasing his career as a whole and highlights. Some key quotes from the video are as follows:
“I gave this sport everything I had. I played against the best, advanced through weight classes and made history on my own terms. 42-0. 3 times undisputed. Five division world champion. No shortcuts. No excuses.”
“This isn’t a farewell to boxing… it’s a thank you. Thank you to my family, my team, my city and the fans who rode with me through every chapter. Thank you to the sport for shaping the man I am today.”
“The gloves may be off, but the legacy is forever. History is never retired.” Quotes via TalkSport.
Terence Crawford career in overview
With a best mark of 42-0, ‘Bud’s record is impeccable and he will go down as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
A 17-year professional career that started in 2008 and is now impeccable after 42 matches. A five-division champion with a host of titles and titles to show for it. His first world championship performance came in 2014 against Scot Ricky Burns in Glasgow, an event with a certain Anthony Joshua on the undercard.
Moving up the weight classes, ‘Bud’ claimed the super lightweight championship in 2017 and then moved up to welterweight to scalp some big names. British icons Amir Khan and Kell Brook both suffered the fallout from Crawford, each losing by stoppage.
New York, NY 2019-04-20
CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
(Set number: X162614 TK1)
The ferocity of ‘Bud’ had always been a sight to behold and from 2016 to 2023, Crawford fought 11 times and ruthlessly stopped every opponent. That run ended with a brutal defeat to long-time rival Errol Spence Jr, handing the compatriot his only career loss.
In September, he faced a fellow legend of the sport in Canelo Alvarez. It was the biggest boxing event of the year at Allegiant Stadium, live on Netflix, sponsored by Riyadh Season, and Crawford was phenomenal. Upsetting the odds and making the massive weight jump to claim the super middleweight belt from one of the sport’s greatest fighters of all time.
A true great in the sport of boxing, where would you rank Terence Crawford among the greats?
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